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Blessed with Cystic Fibrosis and a positive attitude, it is my duty and passion to show the cystic fibrosis community that anything is possible through this blog that discusses the daily trials and triumphs that accompany not only life, but a CF life. RSBR is a hub for comfort, information, advice, encouragement and understanding. It is a place where no question is ignored, no accomplishment is too small, no goal is too big, and every comment is cherished.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

If there's one thing I'm guilty of, it's not getting the most out of my Vest each and every time I strap it on.

Here's what an ineffective Vest treatment looks like:

I sit down at my computer desk and load my nebulizer cups with whatever medicine is due. After loading the cups up I place them on my desk in the order of which I take them. After my inhaled medications are all set to go, I reach over the back of my office chair and grab my Vest jacket (For those that are wondering, I happen to use the inCourage system by RespirTech). After my Vest jacket has been buckled on and the tubes coming from the machine are attached, I'm ready to rock!

The next order of business is to decide which pre-programmed set I will use. Depending on how long that particular session will be, between 30 minutes and 1 hour, I select program 1, 2, or 3. There is also a "quick start" option, but I tend not to use that very often. After selecting the program, I start shaking and then stick a neb into my mouth.

This is where the ineffective Vest treatment begins...

As soon as the Vest starts shaking and the neb starts puffing, I immediately get on to the tasks of the day. Whether it's e-mail, bills, social media, CysticLife, surfing the web, or more e-mail - the one thing I'm usually not as engaged in is my treatment.

My breaths tend to be shallow in nature. I barely cough the entire time that I'm shaking. I never inflate my lungs fully. I allow the Vest to continue whether or not I feel that it's effective. Then, after 30 minutes or an hour, my Vest will stop shaking and I will move on to the rest of my day.

As I alluded to earlier, there are many times that I do not cough once in a Vest session. Now, the question has to be - is that the Vest's fault or my fault? If you know me at all you know how I will answer that question.

Ineffective Vest sessions are my fault. If and when I start doing engaged Vest treatments every time I put the thing on and then continue to receive an ineffective treatment, we can talk about what role the Vest can play in not making me cough.

Until then, I need to change the way I approach a Vest treatment if I would like a different outcome.
Hers's where you come in. Have any tip or tricks that you use for a more effective Vest treatment?